Article
Social parasitism by male-producing reproductive workers in a eusocial insect.
Nature - 29 Jul 2004
Lopez-Vaamonde Carlos, Koning J Will, Brown Ruth M, Jordan William C, Bourke Andrew F G
Abstract excerpt
The evolution of extreme cooperation, as found in eusocial insects (those with a worker caste), is potentially undermined by selfish reproduction among group members. In some eusocial Hymenoptera (ants, bees and wasps), workers can produce male offspring from unfertilized eggs. Kin selection theory predicts levels of worker reproduction as a function of the relatedness structure of the workers' natal colony and...
Read the complete abstract on PubMedTopics
Share this publication in a Topic to start or enrich a Post.